Comprehensive and Detailed Explanation From Exact Extract (CSI-aligned, paraphrased)
In CSI/CDT terminology, there is an important distinction between participants and stakeholders in a project:
Project participants are those who are formally part of the project delivery process, typically through a contractual or professional role. Examples: the owner, architect/engineer, contractor, and sometimes construction manager, commissioning authority, or key consultants. They:
Have direct responsibilities for planning, designing, constructing, administering, or managing the facility.
Are directly affected by project decisions and outcomes under the contracts and agreements.
Stakeholders are a broader group of parties who have an interest in the project, but many of them are not directly involved in performing the work or administering the contract. Examples include:
Users/occupants
Neighbors and surrounding community
Authorities having jurisdiction (from a public-interest standpoint)
Facility management staff, investors, or the general public
Their interest is often indirect—they are affected by the project’s performance, appearance, safety, cost, or impact, but they are not all active participants in day-to-day project execution or contract administration.
Because of this CSI distinction:
Participants → direct interests (active roles)
Stakeholders → often indirect interests (affected by, but not always performing, the work)
That matches Option A: Participants have direct interest in the project while stakeholders have indirect interest.
Key CSI-Related References (titles only, no links):
CSI Project Delivery Practice Guide – discussions of project participants vs. stakeholders and their roles throughout the facility life cycle.
CSI CDT Exam Study Materials – sections defining owner, design professional, contractor as participants, and users/community as stakeholders.
